Fall Protection Measures

This document outlines various fall protection measures designed to prevent falls from heights and on the same level. It includes information on guardrails, safety nets, personal fall arrest systems, and slip/trip prevention strategies to ensure a safe working environment.

Guardrails

Guardrails are a passive fall protection system designed to prevent workers from falling off elevated surfaces. They act as a physical barrier and should meet specific height and strength requirements.

Key Considerations for Guardrails:

Height: Ensure guardrails are of adequate height to prevent workers from climbing over or falling under.
Strength: Guardrails must be capable of withstanding a specified force to prevent collapse upon impact.
Coverage: Guardrails should provide continuous protection along the entire length of the exposed edge.

Safety Nets

Safety nets are designed to catch falling workers, reducing the severity of injuries associated with falls from heights. They are typically used in situations where other fall protection measures are not feasible.

Key Considerations for Safety Nets:

Installation: Nets must be installed close to the working surface to minimize fall distance.
Inspection: Regularly inspect nets for damage, wear, and proper tension.
Load Capacity: Ensure nets have sufficient load capacity to withstand the potential impact of a falling worker and any tools or materials.

Personal Fall Arrest Systems (PFAS)

Personal Fall Arrest Systems (PFAS) are active fall protection systems that require workers to wear a full body harness connected to an anchorage point via a lanyard or lifeline. These systems are designed to arrest a fall and minimize the impact force on the worker's body.

Components of a PFAS:

Anchorage: A secure point of attachment capable of supporting 5,000 pounds per worker.
Full Body Harness: A harness worn by the worker that distributes fall arrest forces across the body.
Lanyard/Lifeline: A flexible line connecting the harness to the anchorage point. The lanyard should not exceed 6 ft (1.8 m) in length and must limit the maximum arrest force to 900 lb (408 kg) for the transfastener type and 1350 lb (612 kg) for the shuttle type fall arrest system.

PFAS Usage Guidelines:

Inspection: Inspect all components of the PFAS before each use for damage, wear, or defects.
Proper Fit: Ensure the harness fits snugly and comfortably.
Clearance: Calculate the required fall clearance to ensure that the worker will not strike a lower level in the event of a fall.
Rescue Plan: Develop and implement a rescue plan to promptly retrieve a suspended worker after a fall.

When using a fall arrest platform, personnel must use fall protection at all times. A full body harness is required with a lanyard not to exceed 6 ft (1.8 m) in length, that limits the maximum arrest force to 900 lb (408 kg) for the transfastener type and 1350 lb (612 kg) for the shuttle type fall arrest system. [1]

Slip/Trip Prevention

Preventing slips and trips is crucial for preventing falls on the same level. These incidents can lead to serious injuries and can be avoided through proactive measures.

Strategies for Slip/Trip Prevention:

Housekeeping: Maintain clean and orderly work areas, free from clutter, debris, and spills.
Footwear: Encourage the use of slip-resistant footwear.
Lighting: Ensure adequate lighting to improve visibility and highlight potential hazards.
Surface Maintenance: Regularly inspect and maintain walking surfaces, repairing any cracks, holes, or uneven areas.
Warning Signs: Use warning signs to alert workers to potential slip and trip hazards.

Additional Fall Protection Measures

Fabric mesh can be attached to the mid platform rail or the top platform rail as an additional safety measure. [1]

Platform Accessories and Inspections

Regular inspection of platform accessories is crucial for maintaining safety. This includes checking attachment rings for cracks or wear, ensuring attaching hardware is properly tightened, and verifying that platform rails are free from visible damage. [2]